Conquer Prostate Cancer Now

Holiday Greetings - Reflecting on the Past , Viewing the New

Christmas weekend, no less than New Year's Day next week, is a civil hoiday.

Aggressive Prostate Cancer Treatment Often Leads to ED and Incontinence

New prostate cancer treatment studies in Spain and elsewhere have confirmed that more aggressive invasive treatments for early stage prostate cancer patients (in contrast to active surveillance) result in a majority of patients suffering either from ED or incontinence. For details see a recent report cited earlier at the New Prostate Cancer Info-Link (http://prostatecancerinfolink.net/2010/12/22/adverse-effects-of-first-line-treatments-for-localized-prostate-cancer/.)

Digital Rectal Exam Message of NFL Hall of Famer, Mike Haynes

Mike Haynes, an NFL Hall of Famer, is doing a lot of good in showing that a real man like him can be open about the need for an annual digital rectal exam (DRE) to detect if you might have prostate cancer.

As a fellow prostate cancer survivor and author of Conquer Prostate Cancer, I have had several conversations with him. As such I  know he is genuinely concerned in offering his forthright message that men should routinely have their prostates checked out annually through a DRE and PSA testing starting at age 40. This is in keeping with the age standard set by the American Urological Association two years ago. Kudos to CBS 8 (San Diego) for its fine interview with Mike! 
   
If you’d like to hear Mike’s interview see www.cbs8.com/Global/story.asp?S=13680149 and read the CBS write-up that follows.

ED, Low Libido and Testosterone after Prostate Cancer, plus a Pharmacy You Can Use

After experiencing ED, a low libido and a low testosterone level after prostate cancer treatment, or other health issues, men and women alike often ask whether Viagra or testosterone cream can really help restore sexual function to enhance intimacy. For an answer to this complex couple's issue, see the following question and my response.

Healing Choices for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Healing Choices for Prostate Cancer Treatment is the brainchild of psychologist and researcher Michael Diefenbach, PhD, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. His interests are aligned with mine and with many of you who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I’ve enjoyed corresponding with him and  speaking with him on the phone and commend him to you.

Michael is currently heading up a study which can help you identify your treatment options and how they can affect your life. If you have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer he has graciously offered to give you and others the opportunity to participate in his brief survey program, Healing Choices for Prostate Cancer. Given the confusion of various treatment options, joining his brief study may help you clear the way to decide on an option that’s right for you. Here’s what Dr. Diefenbach has to say:

Prostate Cancer and the Next Evolution of Health

It’s not everyday you get to hear from world renowned cancer specialist and surgeon, Dr. Bernie Siegel. As some of you may know he's one of the many luminaries who endorsed my book, Conquer Prostate Cancer. Today I received a note from him about an exciting two-day telseminar series he's participating in, presented for free next week on December 11th and 12th. 

The series is called The Next Evolution of Health Summit. It’s a no-cost phone event featuring the top pioneers in health, wellness and mind-body-spirit medicine. They will all share their latest insights and innovations about sustaining your health, whether you are a prostate cancer patient or survivor or not.

Apart from Bernie, who’s always a captivating speaker, you’ll hear firsthand from luminaries such as Dean Ornish, Joan Borysenko, Marilyn Schlitz, Bruce Lipton and Judith Orloff and many others.
You can participate in as many phone sessions as you like by registering at http://nextevolutionofhealth.com.

I hope you’ll take the time to listen to these amazing health pioneers next week. If you sign up, you can also receive recordings of all the presentations and listen in at your convenience.

---Rabbi Ed

Prostate Cancer and Medicare

Recently Medicare began to explore whether to cover cheaper prostate cancer treatment alternatives, rather than new options that have not been proven to be more effective. In my view this is a perilous decision for a bureaucracy like Medicare. After all Medicare relies on a handful of medical experts who are likely to have a subjective, narrow perspective.

Sexuality and Intimacy after Prostate Cancer - "Not Tonight Dear"

Sexuality and intimacy after prostate cancer is a hot issue for many prostate cancer patients, survivors and their partners. That’s why I’ve approached various aspects of this topic at this site from time to time.

Now I’ve been invited to present a keynote address at the annual Us TOO, International meeting, Friday December 3, 2010. The title I’ve selected for my talk is, “Not Tonight Dear - Sex after Prostate Cancer.”

Prostate Cancer, Sexual Intimacy and Thanksgiving

Prostate cancer, sexual intimacy and Thanksgiving are three terms that usually do not appear in the same sentence. But surely among the things many of us are most thankful for today are a supportive family and loving relationships with those closest to us.

That's why a Thanksgiving intimacy-with-gratitude ritual, created by by my friend, Sarasota (Fl.)- based Tantra instructor Diana Dafner, resonated so strongly with me. While it was written to further intimacy between couples regardless of their health, in my mind it can benefit prostate cancer patients and survivors who suffer from ED and/or a reduced libido. Furthermore it's so beneficial you might want to pursue this year 'round.

Once you read this  (cited with permission), you too will be able to "transform your relationship into a love affair," as Diana succinctly put it.  This evocative Thanksgiving ritual is culled from www.IntimacyRetreats.com, the Tantra website Diana maintains with her husband, Richard.

Prostate Cancer Treatment - Brachytherapy versus Surgery

QUESTION
In preparing for prostate cancer treatment, I’ve decided on brachytherapy (“seeding”) . But I wonder what advantage this has over surgery and what side effects men with seeding experience?